UC Davis completes the sweep as UCSB falls 6-1

DAVIS, Calif. -
Freshman center fielder David Harrit blasted his first career home run and senior shortstop Chris Malec went 2-for-4 as the UC Santa Barbara baseball team (16-17) was swept by UC Davis (19-12), dropping the series finale 6-1 on Sunday afternoon at Dobbins Stadium.

The Aggies jumped on top in the third when shortstop Brandon Oliver's sacrifice bunt scored Ryan Royster, who led off the inning with a triple to right. The Gauchos finally broke into the scoring column in the top of the fifth when David Harrit drilled a long home run over the left field fence, tying the score at 1-1. The run broke a scoreless drought of 22 1/3 innings in the series for the Gauchos.

UC Davis answered in the bottom of the fifth with three runs as Oliver had an RBI double while right fielder Dan Baldini and second baseman Daniel Descalso each added RBI singles. UCSB threaten to score in the sixth with the bases loaded and one out before Eddie Gamboa replaced starter Michael Potter on the mound. Gamboa's first pitch to Bill Rowe was flied to right, where Baldini made the catch then threw a perfect strike to Tyler LaTorre behind the plate to get Matt Kalafatis trying to score from third.

That was as close as UC Santa Barbara came as Gamboa allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 innings to earn his first save of the season.

The Aggies tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth courtesy of a Kevin James RBI single and a Royster sacrifice fly that scored James.

Santa Barbara starting pitcher Steve Morlock (3-5) picked-up the loss by tossing 4.1 innings and allowing four hits and four earned runs. Senior reliever Loren Fraser made an appearance out of the bullpen and hurled 2.2 scoreless innings. Alex Mc Robbie pitched one inning and allowed two runs (one earned).

UC Davis starter Potter (3-3) was credited with the win as he held the Gauchos to one run in 5.1 innings of work.

UCSB returns to action on Wednesday as it hosts USC for one game at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 pm first pitch.